Coronapocalypse Now

by Laura Rosen CohenLaura's LinksMarch 17, 2020

https://www.steynonline.com/10125/coronapocalypse-now

Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau in his regretfully-not-permanent self-isolation.

Hello one and all and welcome to the official coronapocalypse edition of Laura's Links, unless they all become coronavirus editions going forward. I am not going to drone on about the virus here because I have a special little section below called "Murderous Barbarian Chinese Communist Wuhan Coronavirus" for your virus update edification. I can report that Toronto is pretty much a ghost town, and that I cannot keep up with the various public health "updates" that keep filling up my inbox from every direction imaginable. Is there some kind of enormous big, gazillion dollar prize being awarded for Most Caring Coronavirus E-Mail Update that I am not aware of? Just a thought because the verbiage is getting out of control with "caring," but the actual nuggets of information are pretty minimal as far as I can discern. It's also just a general downer, with no end in sight.

More dithering in Canada. Oh, wait....finally. Mark noted on the Rush Limbaugh Show Monday that PM Hairdo wants Canadians to come home, and when he says that for some reason I hear "MARK COME BACK TO TORONTO." I guess it's just me? Is it just me? Is it hot in here?

Now off you go to comment. And from all of us here at Steyn HQ, stay safe and well one and all.

If you're a member of Mark Steyn Club, do chime in in the comments to let Laura know what they think of these stories, or any others from the past week. (Laura's Links is also our weekly open thread, so we'll look the other way on the "no going off topic" rule). If you're not yet a Mark Steyn Club member and want to get in on the fun, get yourself or a loved one a membership here. For in-person revelry and review with your fellow Mark Steyn Club members, get in on the upcoming Mark Steyn Cruise by booking yourself a stateroom for our Mediterranean voyage alongside Douglas Murray, Conrad Black, Michele Bachmann and Mark Steyn himself.

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40 Member Comments

Fran Lavery Â • Mar 20, 2020 at 18:31

Pretty unbelievable story in the link, "not a small thing."
Dr. Charles Lieber, 60, Chair of the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology at Harvard University, being tied to Wuhan U of Technology. Coincidence or what?

Josh Passell • Mar 19, 2020 at 08:05

I can't get enough Steyn content, but it's not zero-sum. Thank you, Laura, for your weekly round-up of global garbage, all of which I read, more than a few of which I comment on. Also to Kathy for her movie reviews. And to Kate for her occasional Oz offerings. "This is hard work," as the saying goes. And I appreciate it.

Laura Rosen Cohen Josh Passell • Mar 19, 2020 at 12:53

Thanks, Josh. Much appreciated.

Fran Lavery Â • Mar 19, 2020 at 03:50

That is one disturbing story about the Afghan virginity tester! I agree, get this person out of there! Get us out of that country! I think I'm going to wretch over this one.

Raymond Swenson • Mar 18, 2020 at 18:35

The Swedish government forcing midwives to murder babies is more barbaric than the Afghan government requiring a woman health care worker to perform "virginity examinations." Both are barbaric, but the self-righteousness of the Europeans is much more frightening in its kinship to the meticulous way the Nazis, facilitated by collaborationist governments in France and other conquered nations, murdered and experimented upon Jews and other "defective" people.

George Pereira • Mar 18, 2020 at 17:11

As so-called news is being reported sometimes strange stuff comes out.Boeing, the cutting edge of all things aeronautical.The Board of Directors.Noted aeronautical genius, Caroline Kennedy, incapable of coherent thought, is yet a director of Boeing. Finance and audit. Wait? What?Another noted aeronautical and financial powerhouse, Nikki Haley, is on the Board of Directors of Boeing. Also Finance and Audit. Wait? What?Has anyone asked either of them about their roles in the 737 fiasco?Remember this the next time you get on a Boeing Aircraft.

Eli Callon • Mar 18, 2020 at 14:41

Haven't read comments carefully yet, so apologies for any redundancy or toe-stepping. Re: Toronto Public Library - when the brouhaha (re: Murphy) started, I donated to the library, specifying that I was doing it in support of their stance on upholding freedom of speech. Freedom of speech in Canada is already tenuous and it's hard to find non-crazy free speech organizations to support. Feel free to donate to the TPL and tell them why! Also, when it becomes safe to congregate again, maybe those of us Toronto people here can find a way to organize a LARGER gathering in support of Vickery Bowles, and the TPL with our own placards?

Laura Rosen Cohen Eli Callon • Mar 18, 2020 at 21:19

Good on you, Eli.

Kathy Shaidle Eli Callon • Mar 19, 2020 at 06:20

What a great thing to do!

James Morphew • Mar 18, 2020 at 13:12

I pick and choose, but I wish I had time to read all of these. Thanks, Laura.

Laura Rosen Cohen James Morphew • Mar 18, 2020 at 21:19

Glad you enjoy the selection, James.

Laura Rosen Cohen James Morphew • Mar 18, 2020 at 21:19

Glad you enjoy the selection, James.

Stephen Savageau • Mar 18, 2020 at 12:49

All Hail Laura from a far distant follower in Walsenburg, Colorado (There is such a place; Google it, if you're curious.)I truly enjoyed you moniker, Murderous, Barbarian, Chinese Communist, Wuhan, Coronavirus. It may not be short , but it covers all the bases and clears the room of those suffering from Woke. Took some time to integrate it into my daily parlance, but the happy result is worth the repetition.

Also, you contributed to my education with your references to articles about reaching our to people with aid and the Jewish tradition of giving money. Inspired by your recommendations, I'm reaching out to all of my friends (and dislikes) with hand written letters of love and fellowship. .... And I'm leaving bigger tips for the kind services I receive. Of late I just go to my coffee shop with a pair of tens and hand them out to the service staff.

Stephen, your comments make me really happy. I'm glad you like my long form name for this virus and I am delighted to hear that I've had a little Jewish influence upon you! I'm honoured to be big in the Colorado sticks. Your comments brought me great joy, so thank you. PS: I'm a Jewish Redneck-do I get extra Colorado bonus points for that?

Don Reed • Mar 18, 2020 at 10:18

"Linka Dinka Do!"

Joe TouchyFeelyden: Running on the Alberto V05 platform!

(Mayor Pete's artificially-inseminated slogan, "A Little Dab Will Do Ya" went nowhere, as did also: "I Scream, You Scream, We All Scream For Brylcreem!" Both are also good examples, when combined, of political comorbidities.)

* * *

"Updates" - Just got our first one today (on my computer anyway), from a Manhattan mega-hospital:

"Every day, we make a commitment to keep you safe. We take that commitment very seriously. That's why..."

The best way to convince people that you could not possibly care less?

When the Daily Mail stops putting half the story into their incomprehensible headlines, we'll all be better off. Perhaps.

Josh Passell • Mar 18, 2020 at 05:52

I had to read in the comments what the Iranian woman had done "wrong" to be assaulted by that Persian POS in the video. Evidently, there's something called "bad hijab", which means she should have worn a 30-gallon Hefty bag and not the 13-gallon string bikini she tried to get away with. That'll learn her. The people of Iran have been subjugated my their theocracy, and the women of Iran have been subjugated by their men. Women can at least kick the men in the walnuts--and should. The virus will taking care of the theocracy, inshallah.

Paul Nachman • Mar 17, 2020 at 20:30

Laura notices "caring" as tedious boilerplate.

I think Mark has groused about "curve flattening" and its variants.

I suggest adding to this stew of fatuous blather the "abundance of caution" trope.

Perry Pattetic • Mar 17, 2020 at 18:10

I have to say that virginity testing is not torture, and it insults the real victims of torture when such terms are applied willy nilly. The mores of Afghans are theirs, and they take the maidenhead very seriously. Women are the main enablers of womens' oppression (ref Hillary Rodham Clinton), and if they are willing to put up with it, so be it.Yes. I know that 1970s Kabul was very liberal and trendy. They will say that about 2000s Paris in 30 years. This is the real point - it is dumb to let Afghans into Christendom. The digital pudenda extender is at the lower end of the spectrum - start with your black and white minstrel son of a Marxist pajama boy. Ship him to Kabul.

Segnes Schonken Perry Pattetic • Mar 17, 2020 at 19:12

I'm so with you, P.

Laura Rosen Cohen Perry Pattetic • Mar 18, 2020 at 08:03

Hey Perry Patetic, did you actually read the article in full? Because what part of young women being "forcibly subjected to scientifically baseless physical examinations to question whether they are virgins" including probing their vaginas and anuses does not sound like torture to you? I assume you would be OK with random persons inspecting your female relatives in this way? No big deal, not torture or anything.

Who are the "real victims of torture" that you refer to? If being anally and vaginally assaulted by strangers doesn't count, what does? Is it only individuals in uniform that deserve to be treated as victims of torture? Or civilians assaulted by military?

Of course women enable this oppression, because they are stuck in the fetid and excremental misogynistic sharia system.

I am revolted by the rest of your comment as well.

Laura Rosen Cohen Segnes Schonken • Mar 18, 2020 at 08:05

Segnes, I must say I'm disappointed to read your comment about this.

I have no interest in bringing immigrants with skewed and misogynistic "values" into the West, but that certainly doesn't negate the fact that many women have been tortured-yes tortured-by the men and women acting upon the orders of these regimes.

Al Man from CA Laura Rosen Cohen • Mar 18, 2020 at 11:28

There certainly are degrees of torture, this is torture of course. Little boys being anally examined and then sold in Afghanistan to become "Dancing Boys" and routinely raped is torture. Living in an Islamic theocracy is torture (unless you are the fanatic in charge). Listening to an Obama speech is torture. It is all about degrees of extremes (in my humble opinion), but Islamic perverts forcing their fingers upon and into girls is physical (and remembered forever) torture. Thanks for reminding us Laura.p.s. Loved the little girl stories; the dance and the hugs!

Perry Pattetic Laura Rosen Cohen • Mar 18, 2020 at 14:17

Come off it Laura. Is AOC writing the script?

Yes, I read the article. It's unpleasant. It's voilating. Humiliating. So is being groped by TSA perverts or cavity searched by customs officers. All legal. Just like the virginity tester. Just like Halal. Offensive but legal for Afghans. The morning after an Afghan bride's first night, the bedsheets are joyfully paraded around the village to show off the blood from her torn hymen. Muslim women have hymen reconstruction surgery. It is not my job to apply my morality on them and nor should we be nation-building - they just need to evolve separately for a few thousand years.

The North Koreans do torture. The Iranians do it too. Being buggered with a broomstick until the rectum is ruined, having electrodes and soldering irons applied to the genitals, being chained, suspended with elbows touching behind the back or forced to squat with your nose to the wall for hours on end, unfed, unwatered. Being gang raped, raped by trained dogs Argentina style, and then thrown alive into the sea from a Hercules. She was Swedish - a real victim of real torture.
We all know torture. The gynie girl ain't a torturer.

Segnes Schonken Laura Rosen Cohen • Mar 18, 2020 at 15:46

Sad to have disappointed, L. The procedures which you have described are entirely appalling and reprehensible. That is your view, my view, and, I think, P.'s view. Torture is not a term which I, and I suspect P., apply literally to every appalling and reprehensible procedure. There perhaps we part ways, but only as far as choice of words is concerned. Torture is defined in law in rather specific terms and does not extend to procedures for which the term might be used figuratively, like root canal treatments and corporal punishment. (I selected those examples with care, and not with insult in mind.) There are other terms with received legal definitions, such as conflict of interest and turpitude, which are also used too loosely, in my opinion. I could expand, but I have enough regard for you to think that I needn't.

That is not the basis for my hearty agreement with P., though. I share, most heartily, his objections to admitting into our societies the practitioners of what we all consider to be appalling and reprehensible procedures, even if these procedures are not deemed to be appalling and reprehensible in the societies whence they came, and even if they do not presently qualify as criminal in our own societies, as of course torture does. I share, most heartily, his implicit objections to the possibility that the admission of such people may make it difficult to pass laws to criminalise the specific appalling and reprehensible procedures in question. These are points of agreement which I'd fully expected to share with you. I am much chastened to find that I have instead attracted your disappointment. I feel myself to be very much on your side.

Segnes Schonken Perry Pattetic • Mar 18, 2020 at 15:58

You write, "The gynie girl ain't a torturer," P. Not until the law defines her activities as torture, of course.

Josh Passell Perry Pattetic • Mar 18, 2020 at 15:58

The AOC crack is a low blow, Perry. Beneath the standard expected of a Steyn clubman. The rest is, I suppose, a fair, if unwelcome, response to Laura's challenge to name "victims of torture". I side with Laura, however, that the treatment she describes could fairly be described as torture. Some torture is worse than others, I allow, and you cite some particularly grisly examples. I'll just leave it at that.

Perry Pattetic Segnes Schonken • Mar 18, 2020 at 16:28

Well, Segnes, Pols and commentators and twitteratists term things to be crimes, and by dint of their proclamation, these things are treated as crimes. The British police investigate people for non crimes. So gynie girl is declared a torturer for doing work that her society declared to be lawful. Comes with Sharia, and Sharia is being practiced in Christendom.

Perry Pattetic Josh Passell • Mar 18, 2020 at 16:35

Kowtowing to an overly emotional response is what kills debate and is destroying our society, Josh.

Kathy Shaidle Perry Pattetic • Mar 18, 2020 at 17:36

I'm so sorry, but this is hard work.

Kathy Shaidle Josh Passell • Mar 18, 2020 at 17:37

Well said, Josh. And thank you for posting under your real name...

Walt Trimmer Perry Pattetic • Mar 18, 2020 at 17:57

When you refer to 1970's Kabul with the pictures of fashionably dressed women, you should keep in mind that it was Communist controlled. The country side was filled with the same jihadists that we see today. In the Cold War we picked some doozy allies.

Perry Pattetic Walt Trimmer • Mar 18, 2020 at 18:40

The Communists took over in 1978, I believe, and the Soviets invaded (or was it a "liberation"?) in 1979. From the late 60s until the Taliban took over the dress code in Kabul was unbagged. No doubt the boonies were hell on wheels for the ladies.

Segnes Schonken Perry Pattetic • Mar 18, 2020 at 18:42

I'm all for precise terminology, P., not that I'm always capable of it. It is a bit of a bĂȘte noire with me that lefty academics have defined such concepts as ethicality so widely that they are able to characterise practically anything they dislike as unethical, and therefore as wicked. So I get into the conservative parlour-game of pointing out dangerously loose usage, and I don't think that's a bad thing in and of itself, 'though it gets me into trouble. Not only should we use the language we've all agreed on properly, but we should protect it from ideological hijacking if we can. It's a losing battle, and it dismays me when it results in divisions between people who agree. I like to have intended provocation when I find that I have been provocative, as a rule.

Laura Rosen Cohen Perry Pattetic • Mar 18, 2020 at 21:30

You clearly have comprehension issues if you compare me in any way to AOC.

And your phrase "gynie girl" is repulsive and I pity any woman who has to be around a man who uses that kind of language when discussing an issue such as the physical violation of women.

Laura Rosen Cohen Perry Pattetic • Mar 18, 2020 at 21:32

Actually what destroys our society is when people claim to care deeply about freedom and our way of life but are too cowardly to do so under their own name.